Video:Labor Day Parade

Transcript:Labor Day Parade

Hey, I’m Jade a travel blogger with vagabond3.com.  Today with About.com, we are going to visit the Los Angeles Labor Day Parade.

The Labor Day Tradition in LA, California

With a mix of unions, marching bands, classic cars, and candy throwing floats, the Los Angeles Labor Day Parade not only stays true to the meaning of Labor Day, but also provides a fun atmosphere that’s easy to enjoy.

Labor Day was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City.  Though it is unclear who first proposed the idea, the observance quickly spread.  By 1885, there were several cities observing the ‘workingman’s holiday’ and on June 28, 1894, the US congress set aside the first Monday in September as a legal holiday in observance of Labor Day. 

In Los Angeles, the original Labor Day parade took place in downtown LA, where thousands would fill the sidewalks and streets to celebrate the holiday. Today, the annual Labor Day parade has moved to South LA County and is presented by the LA/Long Beach Labor Coalition. 

Attending the Labor Day Parade

Attending the parade and related events, like picnics and speakers, feels like a rally.  Representatives from a wide variety of labor unions from the steel workers union to the screen actors guild, march between several high school marching bands, cheerleaders, and classic cars.  Many of the walkers either passed out candy or flyers to the crowd, and everyone had a smile on their face. 

The exact route is subject to yearly change, so it’s important to find up to the date directions, mainly posted in the week prior to the event.  Parking can be difficult, so keep in mind that there are shuttles available for the picnic area to the start of the parade.  With a parade route stretching down several blocks, there are plenty of great seats available and there is no need to arrive early to secure a good view.

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